Eric Carter's Passions

Eric Carter's Bio

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

It is light - probably not the most durable. A pretty amazing step up from my old plastic helmet. Got it to try to stay a bit cooler for skimo races and it seems to work well. Much less noticeable, the strap system is comfortable, and ski goggles can be easily attached w/ gorilla tape or zip ties.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Not just for split boarding! I picked up a pair of these poles for alpine climbing with ski gear. I hate having my ski poles attached to the outside of my pack when I am climbing so being able to fold them inside is awesome. They are not the lightest but better than the alu version and seem totally bomber. I have also been using them for mountain runs - replace the basket with a smaller one and they are easy to run with or stow in a trail vest when the route gets easier/more runnable.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Fit:
True to size

Comfortable soft-shell jacket that really breaks the wind. Despite the name GTX, the jacket is a wind stopper, not full waterproof Gore-Tex material so while it holds up in high wind, snow and light rain well, it is not a suitable rain layer (check out the Patroul GTX instead). The pockets are HUGE. The hood fits over a helmet. The waistband and wrist cuffs cinch tight to keep wind out and the inside material is soft if you switch to a t-shirt after a workout. Despite the excellent wind proofing, the jacket breathes well and is suitable for higher output activities in the cold like skiing uphill and ice-climbing.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Fit:
Runs large

My new favourite jacket! On the Coast, there is always the threat of rain so we rarely use soft shell jackets. Instead I usually carry a light wind breaker (like the Dynafit Trail DST) and a Gore-Tex hard shell. The Patrol is protective enough to keep rain and snow out but has a little more breathability than my previous Gore-Tex shell. It is possible to wear it for short periods of skinning even when it is warm out and keeps me warm and dry when skiing down. Two breast pockets on the outside serve as heat vents. I found the hood to be comfortable once adjusted properly. Definitely important to note that this is designed to be light (as with everything else made by Dynafit) and therefore is a bit less durable than other rain shells. I compared this to the M10 jacket by Patagonia. It seems to run just slightly large. I am usually a medium and this is just a tiny bit baggy.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Fit:
True to size

Fit true to size. No liner so I am less likely to use for running. Slightly longer than my normal running shorts. These are perfect for the gym or after a workout. They are great for stretching and rolling out in. Could use a small side pocket. Rear zip pocket is nice for keys but not much more. Fabric is comfortable - breathable and stretchy.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Fit:
True to size

Comfortable jacket that fits well. Can't ask for more. Must be DWR treated as it seems to repel water in light spitting rain - possibly even better than similar wind jackets. Breaks the wind very well. Sleeves are actually long enough for my arms - makes it great for reaching activities like climbing. Breathable enough to jog in when it is chilly. The hood fits over a helmet. Pocket on the front fits a cell phone or a few gel packets. Only con is that it does not stuff into its own pocket for storage.

Bought this for long skimo missions to melt water. Works well with my Ti snowpeak pot and a small gas cannister. All fits together into the pot. It doesn't melt as fast as my Reactor but it packs up smaller and lighter. Definitely a balance when deciding what is the priority. Still experimenting to determine the water/gas ratio.

Pretty stoked on this jacket. Just had it briefly so far but it has served well as my emergency shell for ski touring here in the coast mountains. Packs really light. It replaces my Eddie Bauer BC200 Jacket and it is bigger, but lighter and takes less space in the pack - perfect for skimo missions. Cuts the wind and sheds rain well. Fit is good. I am usually a medium and the medium is slightly baggy but good to layer over. Happy so far!

Pretty comfortable for a shoe that climbs surprisingly well. They wear out quick if you use them for lots of hiking but that is to be expected. If you size them to hike comfortably, they probably are not quite tight enough to climb as well as is possible but pretty great! Will buy again when I blow these out.

Haven't managed to compeltly dial in the fit but I am pretty darn close. I've used them on Cascade volcanos in the summer for slogging up glaciers and for alpine climbing in the Coast Mountains in the winter. They are decent to hike in and great for ice climbing. Lacing has been critical - too tight and my feet get cold. Most of the time these boots are overkill for warmth. An insert helped a lot. My Sabertooth crampons fit well and have only popped off once after mis-adjusting them back from my ski boots.

Go-to pot for melting snow on ski traverses and climbs. Packs tiny and light with a fuel can. Can't ask for any more. As mentioned below, small handles get hot but that is the price of lightweight gear. Lid fits tight but if you set it gently on the top it works fine. The way to go to stay hydrated or make dehydrated meals. Not my first choice for proper cooking but there are better tools for that.

I have been using the reactor all around the Coast Mountains and Cascades for some time and am very happy with it. Ridiculously fast. Sometimes a bit tricky to light in the wind but never had to take more than a couple tries. Best use is for melting snow and boiling water to pour into dehydrated meal bags. I try to keep the pot clean but have even successfully simmered noodles and pasta by holding the pot.

A good alternative to Gels. Chomps taste really good. Not too sweet and candy-like. Can be a little tough to chew when really cold but they don't seem to freeze. I wish the package had a little better opening to rip open. I like the Cliff Blok package but prefer GU taste.

Not meant to be a carbohydrate replacement. These are just to replenish electrolytes. Not ideal in every circumstance but when used properly, excellent. On a long ski day when I cary plenty of carb calories as solid food, a waterbottle with GU brew is perfect for keeping electrolytes up and preventing cramps. The small canister is good for bringing a couple tabs along on a big push. Give it a bit of time to dissolve.

I fit well in the tent at 6ft and partners have had no problems either. Plenty of room and a good vestibule for gear and packs. Worked well on snow with the footprint and have not had an condensation issues even in West Coast rain. The tent is pretty quick to set up and not complicated. Its not the lightest and doesn't seem to be the most durable but for low key trips and car camping it is great!

I have been fairly happy with my Spot 2. I have been using it for almost three years in case of emergencies. It lives in my ski pack with my multitool and sunscreen and occasionally comes along for bigger trail runs. The I'm OK message is good for letting loved ones know I am back at the car or good for the night. Most of the messages seem to go through, when the view is unobstructed then always. IF there was an emergency though I would be hitting the button over and over until the cavalry arrived. Brought it to Nepal and OK messages worked fine in the Himalayas. I've never felt the need to have the tracking component as it costs extra and would just run out the batteries. Oh yeah, batteries seem to last forever when just saying OK once and a while. I change them more often than necessary just to be sure.